Personal media device

ABSTRACT

A personal media device includes a housing assembly, a display panel located on the housing assembly, and a control assembly located on the housing assembly. The control assembly includes a slider assembly, a first switch assembly positioned proximate a first side of the slider assembly, and a second switch assembly positioned proximate a second side of the slider assembly. The control assembly is configured to extend across substantially an entire width of the housing assembly.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of the following applications,which are herein incorporated by reference: U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/705,764, entitled, “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING MEDIACONTENT”, filed Aug. 5, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/705,969, entitled, “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING PERSONAL MEDIADEVICE”, filed Aug. 5, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/705,747, entitled, “PERSONAL MEDIA DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING SAME”,filed 5 Aug. 2005; and this application is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/501,202, entitled, “PERSONAL MEDIA DEVICE.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to personal media devices and, moreparticularly, to personal media devices that interface with a mediadistribution system.

BACKGROUND

Media distribution systems (e.g., the Rhapsody™ service offered byRealNetworks, Inc of Seattle, Wash.) may distribute media content (e.g.,audio files, video files, and audio/video files) from a media server toa client electronic device (e.g., an MP3 player). A media distributionsystem may distribute media content by allowing a user to download mediadata files and/or receive and process media data streams.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first implementation, a personal media device includes a housingassembly, a display panel located on the housing assembly, and a controlassembly located on the housing assembly. The control assembly includesa slider assembly, a first switch assembly positioned proximate a firstside of the slider assembly, and a second switch assembly positionedproximate a second side of the slider assembly. The control assembly isconfigured to extend across substantially an entire width of the housingassembly.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a DRM process, a media distributionsystem, a client application, a proxy application, and a personal mediadevice coupled to a distributed computing network;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the personal media device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the personal media device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the personal media device of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the personal media device of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a personal media device including anaudio user interface;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing an audio userinterface;

FIG. 8 is a top view of personal media devices initiating communicationby contact;

FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a personal media deviceillustrating locations for sensor zones; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of initiatingcommunication between devices by contact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS System Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a DRM (i.e., digital rightsmanagement) process 10 that is resident on and executed by personalmedia device 12. As will be discussed below in greater detail, DRMprocess 10 allows a user (e.g., user 14) of personal media device 12 tomanage media content resident on personal media device 12. Personalmedia device 12 typically receives media content 16 from mediadistribution system 18.

As will be discussed below in greater detail, examples of the format ofthe media content 16 received from media distribution system 18 mayinclude: purchased downloads received from media distribution system 18(i.e., media content licensed to e.g., user 14 for use in perpetuity);subscription downloads received from media distribution system 18 (i.e.,media content licensed to e.g., user 14 for use while a validsubscription exists with media distribution system 18); and mediacontent streamed from media distribution system 18, for example.Typically, when media content is streamed from e.g., computer 28 topersonal media device 12, a copy of the media content is not permanentlyretained on personal media device 12. In addition to media distributionsystem 18, media content may be obtained from other sources, examples ofwhich may include but are not limited to files ripped from music compactdiscs.

Examples of the types of media content 16 distributed by mediadistribution system 18 include: audio files (examples of which mayinclude but are not limited to music files, audio news broadcasts, audiosports broadcasts, and audio recordings of books, for example); videofiles (examples of which may include but are not limited to videofootage that does not include sound, for example); audio/video files(examples of which may include but are not limited to a/v newsbroadcasts, a/v sports broadcasts, feature-length movies and movieclips, music videos, and episodes of television shows, for example); andmultimedia content (examples of which may include but are not limited tointeractive presentations and slideshows, for example).

Media distribution system 18 typically provides media data streamsand/or media data files to a plurality of users (e.g., users 14, 20, 22,24, 26). Examples of such a media distribution system 18 include theRhapsody™ service offered by RealNetworks™ of Seattle, Wash.

Media distribution system 18 is typically a server application thatresides on and is executed by computer 28 (e.g., a server computer) thatis connected to network 30 (e.g., the Internet). Computer 28 may be aweb server running a network operating system, examples of which mayinclude but are not limited to Microsoft Windows 2000 Server™, NovellNetware™, or Redhat Linux™.

Typically, computer 28 also executes a web server application, examplesof which may include but are not limited to Microsoft IIS™, NovellWebserver™, or Apache Webserver™, that allows for HTTP (i.e., HyperTextTransfer Protocol) access to computer 28 via network 30. Network 30 maybe connected to one or more secondary networks (e.g., network 32), suchas: a local area network; a wide area network; or an intranet, forexample.

The instruction sets and subroutines of media distribution system 18,which are typically stored on a storage device 34 coupled to computer28, may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one ormore memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into computer 28.Storage device 34 may include but is not limited to a hard disk drive, atape drive, an optical drive, a RAID array, a random access memory(RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM).

Users 14, 20, 22, 24, 26 may access media distribution system 18directly through network 30 or through secondary network 32. Further,computer 28 (i.e., the computer that executes media distribution system18) may be connected to network 30 through secondary network 32, asillustrated with phantom link line 36.

Users 14, 20, 22, 24, 26 may access media distribution system 18 throughvarious client electronic devices, examples of which may include but arenot limited to personal media devices 12, 38, 40, 42, client computer44, personal digital assistants (not shown), cellular telephones (notshown), televisions (not shown), cable boxes (not shown), internetradios (not shown), or dedicated network devices (not shown), forexample.

The various client electronic devices may be directly or indirectlycoupled to network 30 (or network 32). For example, client computer 44is shown directly coupled to network 30 via a hardwired networkconnection. Further, client computer 44 may execute a client application46 (examples of which may include but are not limited to MicrosoftInternet Explorer™, Netscape Navigator™, Rhapsody™ client, RealPlayer™client, or a specialized interface) that allows e.g., user 22 to accessand configure media distribution system 18 via network 30 (or network32). Client computer 44 may run an operating system, examples of whichmay include but are not limited to Microsoft Windows™, or Redhat Linux™.

The instruction sets and subroutines of client application 46, which aretypically stored on a storage device 48 coupled to client computer 44,are executed by one or more processors (not shown) and one or morememory architectures (not shown) incorporated into client computer 44.Storage device 48 may include but are not limited to a hard disk drive,a tape drive, an optical drive, a RAID array, a random access memory(RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM).

As discussed above, the various client electronic devices may beindirectly coupled to network 30 (or network 32). For example, personalmedia device 38 is shown wirelessly coupled to network 30 via a wirelesscommunication channel 50 established between personal media device 38and wireless access point (i.e., WAP) 52, which is shown directlycoupled to network 30. WAP 52 may be, for example, an IEEE 802.11a,802.11b, 802.11g, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth device that is capable ofestablishing the secure communication channel 50 between personal mediadevice 38 and WAP 52. As is known in the art, all of the IEEE 802.11xspecifications use Ethernet protocol and carrier sense multiple accesswith collision avoidance (i.e., CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The various802.11x specifications may use phase-shift keying (i.e., PSK) modulationor complementary code keying (i.e., CCK) modulation, for example. As isknown in the art, Bluetooth is a telecommunications industryspecification that allows e.g., mobile phones, computers, and personaldigital assistants to be interconnected using a short-range wirelessconnection.

In addition to being wirelessly coupled to network 30 (or network 32),personal media devices may be coupled to network 30 (or network 32) viaa proxy computer (e.g., proxy computer 54 for personal media device 12,proxy computer 56 for personal media device 40, and proxy computer 58for personal media device 42, for example).

Personal Media Device

For example and referring also to FIG. 2, personal media device 12 maybe connected to proxy computer 54 via a docking cradle 60. Typically,personal media device 12 includes a bus interface (to be discussed belowin greater detail) that couples personal media device 12 to dockingcradle 60. Docking cradle 60 may be coupled (with cable 62) to e.g., auniversal serial bus (i.e., USB) port, a serial port, or an IEEE 1394(i.e., FireWire) port included within proxy computer 54. For example,the bus interface included within personal media device 12 may be a USBinterface, and docking cradle 60 may function as a USB hub (i.e., aplug-and-play interface that allows for “hot” coupling and uncoupling ofpersonal media device 12 and docking cradle 60).

Proxy computer 54 may function as an Internet gateway for personal mediadevice 12. Accordingly, personal media device 12 may use proxy computer54 to access media distribution system 18 via network 30 (and network32) and obtain media content 16. Specifically, upon receiving a requestfor media distribution system 18 from personal media device 12, proxycomputer 54 (acting as an Internet client on behalf of personal mediadevice 12), may request the appropriate web page/service from computer28 (i.e., the computer that executes media distribution system 18). Whenthe requested web page/service is returned to proxy computer 54, proxycomputer 54 relates the returned web page/service to the originalrequest (placed by personal media device 12) and forwards the webpage/service to personal media device 12. Accordingly, proxy computer 54may function as a conduit for coupling personal media device 12 tocomputer 28 and, therefore, media distribution system 18.

Further, personal media device 12 may execute a device application 64(examples of which may include but are not limited to Rhapsody™ client,RealPlayer™ client, or a specialized interface). Personal media device12 may run an operating system, examples of which may include but arenot limited to Microsoft Windows CE™, Redhat Linux™, Palm OS™, or adevice-specific (i.e., custom) operating system.

DRM process 10 may be a component of device application 64 (examples ofwhich may include but are not limited to an embedded feature of deviceapplication 64, a software plug-in for device application 64, or astand-alone application called from within and controlled by deviceapplication 64). The instruction sets and subroutines of deviceapplication 64 and DRM process 10, which are typically stored on astorage device 66 coupled to personal media device 12, may be executedby one or more processors (not shown) and one or more memoryarchitectures (not shown) incorporated into personal media device 12.Storage device 66 may be, for example, a hard disk drive, an opticaldrive, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a CF(i.e., compact flash) card, an SD (i.e., secure digital) card, aSmartMedia card, a Memory Stick, and a MultiMedia card, for example.

An administrator 68 typically accesses and administers mediadistribution system 18 through a desktop application 70 (examples ofwhich may include but are not limited to Microsoft Internet Explorer™,Netscape Navigator™, or a specialized interface) running on anadministrative computer 72 that is also connected to network 30 (ornetwork 32).

The instruction sets and subroutines of desktop application 70, whichare typically stored on a storage device (not shown) coupled toadministrative computer 72, are executed by one or more processors (notshown) and one or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporatedinto administrative computer 72. The storage device (not shown) coupledto administrative computer 72 may include but are not limited to a harddisk drive, a tape drive, an optical drive, a RAID array, a randomaccess memory (RAM), or a read-only memory (ROM).

Referring also to FIG. 3, a diagrammatic view of personal media device12 is shown. Personal media device 12 may include microprocessor 150,non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory 152), and volatile memory(e.g., random access memory 154); each of which may be interconnectedvia one or more data/system buses 156, 158. Personal media device 12 mayalso include an audio subsystem 160 for providing e.g., an analog audiosignal to an audio jack 162 for removably engaging e.g., a headphoneassembly 164, a remote speaker assembly 166, or an ear bud assembly 168,for example. Alternatively, personal media device 12 may be configuredto include one or more internal audio speakers (not shown).

Personal media device 12 may also include a user interface 170 and adisplay subsystem 172. User interface 170 may receive data signals fromvarious input devices included within personal media device 12, examplesof which may include (but are not limited to): rating switches 74, 76;backward skip switch 78; forward skip switch 80; play/pause switch 82;menu switch 84; radio switch 86; and slider assembly 88, for example.Display subsystem 172 may provide display signals to display panel 90included within personal media device 12. Display panel 90 may be anactive matrix liquid crystal display panel, a passive matrix liquidcrystal display panel, or a light emitting diode display panel, forexample.

Audio subsystem 160, user interface 170, and display subsystem 172 mayeach be coupled with microprocessor 150 via one or more data/systembuses 174, 176, 178 (respectively).

During use of personal media device 12, display panel 90 may beconfigured to display e.g., the title and artist of various pieces ofmedia content 92, 94, 96 stored within personal media device 12. Sliderassembly 88 may be used to scroll upward or downward through the list ofmedia content stored within personal media device 12. When the desiredpiece of media content is highlighted (e.g., “Phantom Blues” by “TajMahal”), user 14 may select the media content for rendering usingplay/pause switch 82. User 14 may skip forward to the next piece ofmedia content (e.g., “Happy To Be Just . . . ” by “Robert Johnson”)using forward skip switch 80; or skip backward to the previous piece ofmedia content (e.g., “Big New Orleans . . . ” by “Leroy Brownstone”)using backward skip switch 78. Additionally, user 14 may rate the mediacontent as they listen to it by using rating switches 74, 76.

As discussed above, personal media device 12 may include a bus interface180 for interfacing with e.g., proxy computer 54 via docking cradle 60.Additionally and as discussed above, personal media device 12 may bewirelessly coupled to network 30 via a wireless communication channel 50established between personal media device 12 and e.g., WAP 52.Accordingly, personal media device 12 may include a wireless interface182 for wirelessly-coupling personal media device 12 to network 30 (ornetwork 32) and/or other personal media devices. Wireless interface 182may be coupled to an antenna assembly 184 for RF communication to e.g.,WAP 52, and/or an IR (i.e., infrared) communication assembly 186 forinfrared communication with e.g., a second personal media device (suchas personal media device 40). Further and as discussed above, personalmedia device 12 may include a storage device 66 for storing theinstruction sets and subroutines of device application 64 and DRMprocess 10. Additionally, storage device 66 may be used to store mediadata files downloaded from media distribution system 18 and totemporarily store media data streams (or portions thereof) streamed frommedia distribution system 18.

Storage device 66, bus interface 180, and wireless interface 182 mayeach be coupled with microprocessor 150 via one or more data/systembuses 188, 190, 192 (respectively).

As discussed above, media distribution system 18 distributes mediacontent to users 14, 20, 22, 24, 26, such that the media contentdistributed may be in the form of media data streams and/or media datafiles. Accordingly, media distribution system 18 may be configured toonly allow users to download media data files. For example, user 14 maybe allowed to download, from media distribution system 18, media datafiles (i.e., examples of which may include but are not limited to MP3files or AAC files), such that copies of the media data file aretransferred from computer 28 to personal media device 12 (being storedon storage device 66).

Alternatively, media distribution system 18 may be configured to onlyallow users to receive and process media data streams of media datafiles. For example, user 22 may be allowed to receive and process (onclient computer 44) media data streams received from media distributionsystem 18. As discussed above, when media content is streamed from e.g.,computer 28 to client computer 44, a copy of the media data file is notpermanently retained on client computer 44.

Further, media distribution system 18 may be configured to allow usersto receive and process media data streams and download media data files.Examples of such a media distribution system include the Rhapsody™service offered by RealNetworks™ of Seattle, Wash. Accordingly, user 14may be allowed to download media data files and receive and processmedia data streams from media distribution system 18. Therefore, copiesof media data files may be transferred from computer 28 to personalmedia device 12 (i.e., the received media data files being stored onstorage device 66); and streams of media data files may be received fromcomputer 28 by personal media device 12 (i.e., with portions of thereceived stream temporarily being stored on storage device 66).Additionally, user 22 may be allowed to download media data files andreceive and process media data streams from media distribution system18. Therefore, copies of media data files may be transferred fromcomputer 28 to client computer 44 (i.e., the received media data filesbeing stored on storage device 48); and streams of media data files maybe received from computer 28 by client computer 44 (i.e., with portionsof the received streams temporarily being stored on storage device 48).

Typically, in order for a device to receive and process a media datastream from e.g., computer 28, the device must have an active connectionto computer 28 and, therefore, media distribution system 18.Accordingly, personal media device 38 (i.e., actively connected tocomputer 28 via wireless channel 50), and client computer 44 (i.e.,actively connected to computer 28 via a hardwired network connection)may receive and process media data streams from e.g., computer 28.

As discussed above, proxy computers 54, 56, 58 may function as a conduitfor coupling personal media devices 12, 40, 42 (respectively) tocomputer 28 and, therefore, media distribution system 18. Accordingly,when personal media devices 12, 40, 42 are coupled to proxy computers54, 56, 58 (respectively) via e.g., docking cradle 60, personal mediadevices 12, 40, 42 are actively connected to computer 28 and, therefore,may receive and process media data streams provided by computer 28.

User Interfaces

As discussed above, media distribution system 18 may be accessed usingvarious types of client electronic devices, which may include but arenot limited to personal media devices 12, 38, 40, 42, client computer44, personal digital assistants (not shown), cellular telephones (notshown), televisions (not shown), cable boxes (not shown), internetradios (not shown), or dedicated network devices (not shown), forexample. Typically, the type of interface used by the user (whenconfiguring media distribution system 18 for a particular clientelectronic device) may vary depending on the type of client electronicdevice to which the media content is being streamed/downloaded.

For example, as the embodiment shown (in FIG. 2) of personal mediadevice 12 does not include a keyboard and the display panel 90 ofpersonal media device 12 is compact, media distribution system 18 may beconfigured for personal media device 12 via proxy application 98executed on proxy computer 54.

The instruction sets and subroutines of proxy application 98, which aretypically stored on a storage device (not shown) coupled to proxycomputer 54, may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) andone or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into proxycomputer 54. The storage device (not shown) coupled to proxy computer 54may include but are not limited to a hard disk drive, a tape drive, anoptical drive, a RAID array, a random access memory (RAM), or aread-only memory (ROM).

Additionally and for similar reasons, personal digital assistants (notshown), cellular telephones (not shown), televisions (not shown), cableboxes (not shown), internet radios (not shown), and dedicated networkdevices (not shown) may use proxy application 98 executed on proxycomputer 54 to configure media distribution system 18.

Further, the client electronic device need not be directly connected toproxy computer 54 for media distribution system 18 to be configured viaproxy application 98. For example, assume that the client electronicdevice used to access media distribution system 18 is a cellulartelephone. While cellular telephones are typically not physicallyconnectable to e.g., proxy computer 54, proxy computer 54 may still beused to remotely configure media distribution system 18 for use with thecellular telephone. Accordingly, the configuration information(concerning the cellular telephone) that is entered via e.g., proxycomputer 54 may be retained within media distribution system 18 (oncomputer 28) until the next time that the user accesses mediadistribution system 18 with the cellular telephone. At that time, theconfiguration information saved on media distribution system 18 may bedownloaded to the cellular telephone.

For systems that include keyboards and larger displays (e.g., clientcomputer 44), client application 46 may be used to configure mediadistribution system 18 for use with client computer 44.

Control Set for Personal Media Device

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, there is shown a personal media device 12including a control set 1100 and other features that facilitate useroperation and control of functions on personal media device 12. Personalmedia device 12 may be a dedicated personal media device (e.g., an MP3player), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, orother portable or mobile electronic device capable of rendering digitalmedia data. Personal media device 12 may be used to store and rendermedia content such as music tracks and to display information associatedwith the media content. Personal media device 12 may be used, forexample, in connection with a media distribution system 18 (see FIG. 1),as described above.

Personal media device 12 generally includes a housing 1102 having afront 1104 and a back 1106. In an exemplary embodiment, housing 1102 maybe generally rectangular shaped. Personal media device 12 may haverounded corners 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116 between each of the sides 1120,1122, 1124, 1126. The personal media device 12 may thus fit comfortablyin the hands of a user.

Control set 1100 may be located on the front 1104 of housing 1102 andbelow display panel 90. Control set 1100 may include a three key set1130 centrally located on the front 1104 and extending acrosssubstantially the entire width of housing 1102. In an exemplaryembodiment, the three key set 1130 includes a menu switch 84, a sliderassembly 88 and a radio switch 86. Slider assembly 88 may be locatedbetween and adjacent to menu switch 84 and radio switch 86.

Menu switch 84 may be a momentary switch used to provide a menuactivation signal, which causes one or more menus to be displayed ondisplay panel 90. Radio switch 86 may be a momentary switch used toprovide a radio activation signal, which causes a radio function to beinitiated on personal media device 12. Slider assembly 88 may be asliding switch used to provide one or more signals to control, forexample, scroll movement, highlighting and/or selecting of one or moreitems displayed on display panel 90.

Control set 1100 may also include rating switches 74, 76 located, forexample, between display panel 90 and three key set 1130. Ratingswitches 74, 76 may be spaced apart, for example, such that ratingswitch 74 generally aligns with menu switch 84 and rating switch 76generally aligns with radio switch 86.

Rating switch 74 may be a momentary switch used to provide a lowerrating signal that indicates a lower rating. Rating switch 76 may be amomentary switch used to provide a higher rating signal that indicates ahigher rating. Ratings may apply to media content (e.g., music tracks)being rendered by personal media device 12.

Control set 1100 may also include a backward skip switch 78, a forwardskip switch 80, and a play/pause switch 82 located, for example, betweenthree key set 1130 and bottom side 1122 of housing 1102. Backward skipswitch 78, forward skip switch 80, and play/pause switch 82 may bespaced apart, for example, such that backward skip switch 78 generallyaligns with menu switch 84, forward skip switch 80 generally aligns withradio switch 86 and play/pause switch 82 generally aligns with sliderassembly 88.

Backward skip switch 78 may be a momentary switch used to provide abackward skip signal that causes personal media device 12 to skipbackward to another media content item (e.g., music track) beingrendered. Forward skip switch 80 may be a momentary switch used toprovide a forward skip signal that causes personal media device 12 toskip forward to another media content item (e.g., music track) beingrendered. Play/pause switch 82 may be a momentary switch used to providea content rendering signal that causes personal media device 12 toalternate between rendering (i.e., play) media content and not rendering(i.e., pause) media content.

The three key set 1130 (e.g., menu switch 84, slider assembly 88 andradio switch 86) may be larger than the other controls (e.g., ratingswitches 74, 76, backward skip switch 78, forward skip switch 80, andplay/pause switch 82). The shape, size and placement of the three keyset 1130 may thus facilitate user control of main device functions suchas displaying menus, scrolling, highlighting, selecting, and activatingthe radio function.

A connector 1140 may be located on housing 1102, for example, on abottom side 1122. Connector 1140 is configured to engage andelectrically connect to docking connector 60.

An audio jack (not shown) may be located on housing 1102, for example,on top side 1120. The audio jack may be configured to engage andelectrically connect to a cable for a headphone assembly or speakers.

Display panel 90 may be an active matrix liquid crystal display panel, apassive matrix liquid crystal display panel, or a light emitting diodedisplay panel, for example. Display panel 90 may also include atransparent cover capable of magnifying the displayed information andgiving the appearance of a larger display.

Accordingly, personal media device 12 may include a control set andother features to facilitate user operation.

Audio User Interface for Personal Media Device

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a system and method forproviding an audio user interface on a personal media device 12. Theaudio user interface provides audio messages to the user (e.g., viaheadphones) to inform the user of various usage events that occur onpersonal media device 12. In an exemplary embodiment, personal mediadevice 12 may be a dedicated personal media device (e.g., an MP3player), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, orother portable or mobile electronic device capable of rendering digitalmedia data. Personal media device 12 may be used to store and rendermedia content such as music tracks and to display information associatedwith the media content. Personal media device 12 may be used, forexample, in connection with a media distribution system 18, as describedabove and shown in FIG. 1, and a subscription to a media distributionservice. Examples of usage events that may occur on personal mediadevice 12 include, but are not limited to, subscription status events,storage status events, battery life status events, user interactionevents, and device communication events.

Audio message data 1210 may be stored on personal media device 12, forexample, on storage device 66. Audio message data 1210 may include audiodata files for the audio messages to be played to the user. Audiomessages may include voice messages describing the usage events thatoccur on personal media device 12 and/or an action that needs to betaken by the user. Audio messages may also include non-voice audiomessages such as tones that notify and/or prompt the user. Audio messagedata 1210 may be pre-loaded on personal media device 12 or downloaded topersonal media device 12 (e.g., from proxy computer 54 or mediadistribution system 18 shown in FIG. 1). A user may also generate audiomessage data 1210, for example, by digitally recording the audiomessages.

Event/message mapping data 1212 may also be stored on personal mediadevice 12, for example, on storage device 66. Event/message mapping data1212 maps the usage events to the audio messages associated with theusage events. Event/message mapping data 1212 may be in the form of atable associating event identifying information with audio messageidentifying information (e.g., a filename or storage location for anaudio data file). Event/message mapping data 1212 may be pre-loaded onpersonal media device 12 or downloaded to personal media device 12(e.g., from proxy computer 54 or media distribution system 18 shown inFIG. 1). A user may also configure event/message mapping data 1212, forexample, by opening a control panel that allows a user to assign audiomessages to usage events.

Usage data 1214 may also be stored on personal media device 12, forexample, on storage device 66. Usage data 1214 may include data definingwhen certain status events occur on personal media device 12. For asubscription status event, for example, usage data 1214 may includeexpiration data defining a predetermined period of time before a user'ssubscription expires. For a storage status event, usage data 1214 mayinclude data defining a predetermined remaining amount of storage space(e.g., 100 MB remaining on storage device 66). For a battery life statusevent, usage data 1214 may include data defining a predetermined levelof battery power remaining.

Event monitoring process 1220 may be resident on and executed bypersonal media device 12 to monitor usage of personal media device 12and to determine when certain usage events occur. Event monitoringprocess 1220 may be a component of device application 64 (FIG. 1), forexample, as an embedded feature, software plug-in, or stand-aloneapplication. The instruction sets and subroutines of event monitoringprocess 1220 may be executed by one or more processors (not shown) andone or more memory architectures (not shown) incorporated into personalmedia device 12.

An exemplary method of providing an audio user interface is illustratedin FIG. 7 and is described below. Personal media device 12 may monitor1250 usage events as personal media device 12 is being used by the userto render media data files. In particular, event monitoring process 1220may monitor processes executed on personal media device 12 and usagedata 1214 stored on personal media device 12 to determine when usageevents occur.

To monitor subscription status events, for example, event monitoringprocess 1220 may monitor a digital rights management (DRM) process todetermine a remaining period of time during which media content may berendered on personal media device 12 under a subscription. One exampleof a DRM process is described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.60/705,969 (Attorney Docket No. REA015), entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Using Personal Media Device”, filed Aug. 5, 2005 and is fullyincorporated herein by reference. A subscription status event may be apredetermined number of days remaining under a subscription to a mediadistribution service. In one example, personal media device 12 mayrender media content for a period of time (e.g., 30 days) after renewinga device license on personal media device 12. Usage data 1214 may definethe occurrence of subscription status events by defining predeterminednumbers of days remaining (e.g., 5 days, 1 day, expired). Eventmonitoring process 1220 may compare the remaining period of time withthe predetermined periods of time defined in the usage data 1214 todetermine when a subscription status event occurs.

To monitor storage status events, event monitoring process 1220 maymonitor processes or data defining the remaining storage space onstorage device 66. A storage status event may be a predetermined amountof remaining storage space. Usage data 1214 may define the occurrence ofstorage status events by defining predetermined amounts of remainingstorage space (e.g., 100 MB remaining, 50 MB remaining, no spaceremaining). Event monitoring process 1220 may compare the remainingstorage space with the predetermined amounts of remaining storage spacedefined in the usage data 1214 to determine when a storage status eventoccurs.

To monitor battery life status events, event monitoring process 1220 maymonitor processes or data defining the remaining battery power for thebattery in personal media device 12. A battery life status event may bea predetermined amount of remaining battery power. Usage data 1214 maydefine the occurrence of battery life status events by definingpredetermined amounts of remaining battery power (e.g., 20% remaining,10% remaining). Event monitoring process 1220 may compare the remainingamount of battery power with the predetermined amounts of remainingbattery power defined in the usage data 1214 to determine when a storagestatus event occurs.

To monitor user interaction events, event monitoring process 1220 maymonitor processes that require or request user interaction. In oneexample, personal media device 12 may prompt a user for a user rating ofa media content item (e.g., music track) being played by personal mediadevice 12. Those skilled in the art will recognize that personal mediadevice 12 may monitor and detect various other user interaction events.A user interaction event may be detected when event monitoring process1220 determines that user interaction (e.g., a user rating) is requiredor requested.

To monitor device communication events, event monitoring process 1220may monitor processes that initiate and handle communication betweenpersonal media device 12 and other devices (e.g., other personal mediadevices, a wireless access point, a proxy computer). A devicecommunication event may be detected when event monitoring process 1220determines that communication has been initiated, data has beentransferred, and/or communication has been terminated.

If personal media device 12 detects 1252 a usage event, personal mediadevice 12 may retrieve 1254 an audio message data file associated withthe detected event. Event monitoring process 1220, for example, mayaccess event/message mapping data 1212 to identify and locate the audiomessage data file associated with the identifying information for thedetected event. Personal media device 12 may then access audio messagedata 1210 to retrieve the associated audio message data file.

Personal media device 12 then renders the associated audio message datafile to generate an analog audio message output signal. Audio subsystem160 on personal media device 12, for example, may process the audiomessage data file to generate the audio message output signal. Audiosubsystem 160 may provide the audio message output signal to an audiooutput (e.g., output jack 162). A user may thus hear the audio messagethrough headphone assembly 164, remote speaker assembly 166, or ear budassembly 168 coupled to output jack 162. Alternatively, the audiomessage output signal may be sent to internal speakers (not shown) inpersonal media device 12.

For subscription status events, the audio messages may include voicemessages stating the remaining period of time under the subscription(e.g., “You have 5 days remaining under your subscription” or “Yoursubscription has expired”). The voice message may also state what actionneeds to be taken by the user (e.g., “You must renew your subscriptionwithin the next 5 days” or “You must now renew your subscription”).

For storage status events, the audio messages may include voice messagesstating the remaining storage space (e.g., “You have 100 megabytes ofstorage space remaining” or “Your hard drive is full”). The voicemessages may also state an action to be taken by the user (e.g., “Youmust delete music from your hard drive” or “You must connect to mediadistribution service”).

For battery life status events, the audio messages may include voicemessages stating the remaining battery power (e.g., “You have 10 percentof your battery power remaining” or “You have less than about 1 day ofbattery power remaining”). The voice messages may also state an actionto be taken by the user (e.g., “You should recharge your battery”).

For user interaction events, the audio messages may include voicemessages prompting the user to take an action (e.g., “Please enter arating for this song” or “Press play to begin your playlist”).

For device communication events, the audio messages may include voicemessages notifying the user of the initiation of communication, thetransfer of data, or the termination of communication (e.g., “You havesuccessfully connected to another device” or “You have received a userprofile” or “Communication has been terminated”).

The examples of usage events and audio messages are described herein forexemplary purposes only. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatpersonal media device 12 may monitor various other events and may playvarious other audio messages.

Accordingly, the audio user interface facilitates notifying the user ofstatus information and other events, particularly when using a mobiledevice having a limited display environment.

Initiating Communication between Personal Media Devices by Contact

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, there is shown a system and method forinitiating communication between personal media devices 12, 12′ bycontact. In an exemplary embodiment, personal media device 12 may be adedicated personal media device (e.g., an MP3 player), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, or other portable ormobile electronic device capable of rendering digital media data. Thesystem and method described herein may be used, however, with othermobile devices. Personal media device 12 may be used to store and rendermedia content such as music tracks and to display information associatedwith the media content. Personal media device 12 may be used, forexample, in connection with a media distribution system 18 (see FIG. 1),as described above. A data transfer may involve a transfer of userprofiles (e.g., data identifying a user), a transfer of user personas(e.g., data defining a user's activities and/or preferences), adevice-to-device transfer of media content (e.g., audio data files),and/or a transfer of media playlists.

Personal media devices 12, 12′ may include one or more sensor zones1300, 1300′ including, for example, embedded sensors that sense contactby another personal media device and provide data transfer initiationsignals. The data transfer initiation sensors in sensor zones 1300,1300′ may include any known or later-developed sensors capable ofsensing physical contact or close proximity of another device or sensorand capable of providing a signal. Examples of sensors include, but arenot limited to, a momentary switch that activates by physical contactand a proximity sensor that uses an electromagnetic field to senseobjects in close proximity.

FIG. 8 shows sensor zones 1300, 1300′ located on the top sides 1120,1120′ of personal media devices 12, 12′. Alternatively or additionally,sensors may be located in various other locations on personal mediadevices 12, 12′. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, sensor zones 1310,1312, 1314, 1316, 1318 may be located in various locations on the back1106 of personal media device 12 and/or sensor zones 1320, 1322, 1324,1326 may be located in various locations on other sides 1122, 1124 ofpersonal media device 12. The locations shown are merely illustrative.

The sensors may be coupled to microprocessor 150 (shown in FIG. 3) inpersonal media device 12. As described above, personal media device 12may include a wireless interface 182 for wirelessly-coupling personalmedia device 12 to a network and/or to other personal media devices.Wireless interface 182 may be coupled to an antenna assembly 184 for RFcommunication and/or an infrared (IR) communication assembly 186 forinfrared communication. A wireless data transfer system (not shown) maybe resident on and executed by personal media device 12 to handlewireless data transfer. The wireless data transfer system may be acomponent of device application 64 (FIG. 1), for example, as an embeddedfeature, software plug-in, or stand-alone application. The instructionsets and subroutines of wireless data transfer system may be executed byone or more processors (not shown) and one or more memory architectures(not shown) incorporated into personal media device 12.

The wireless data transfer may be handled using any wireless protocol orstandard currently known or later-developed for wirelessly transferringdata between electronic devices. According to one example, the wirelessdata transfer may be effected using a short-range radio technology knownto those skilled in the art such as Bluetooth. Alternatively, thewireless data transfer may be effected using an infrared datacommunications protocol known to those skilled in the art such as aprotocol complying with a standard defined by the Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA). Other wireless protocols and standards that may beused include, but are not limited to, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,and Wi-Fi.

An exemplary method for initiating communication by physical contact isillustrated in FIG. 10 and described in greater detail below. A user ofone personal media device 12 may place 1350 personal media device 12into contact with another personal media device 12′. As use herein,contact means physical contact (i.e., touching) or close proximity(i.e., within a range of a proximity sensor). The personal media devices12, 12′ are positioned such that contact is achieved in sensor zones1300, 1300′ on both personal media devices 12, 12′

The users may manipulate personal media devices 12, 12′ until contact issensed 1352. Upon sensing 1352 contact, personal media device 12initiates 1354 a wireless handshake protocol. The data transferinitiation sensors, for example, may provide data transfer initiationsignals to microprocessor 150, which may execute the instructions toinitiate a wireless hand shake protocol for data transmission viawireless interface 182. In an exemplary embodiment, personal mediadevices 12, 12′ may establish a secure communication channel, forexample, by using session keys to encrypt and decrypt data beingtransferred using encryption techniques known to those skilled in theart.

When the hand shake protocol is completed and communication isestablished, personal media device 12 may begin transferring 1356 data.Personal media device 12 may provide a data transfer notification (e.g.,by displaying a pop up screen) to the user to indicate that datatransfer has begun.

Accordingly, a system and method for initiating communication betweendevices by contact facilitates the initiation of a wireless datatransfer without having to navigate through layers of menus on apersonal media device, as required currently for wireless datatransmissions.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A personal media device comprising: a housing assembly; a displaypanel located on the housing assembly; a control assembly located on thehousing assembly; a sensor configured to detect physical contact withanother device; a computer-readable storage medium configured to store auser profile; and a wireless data transfer system configured tocommunicate data to the other device using the wireless networkinterface, the wireless data transfer system comprising: a wirelessnetwork interface configured to wirelessly couple the personal mediadevice to the another device; wherein upon detection of physical contactwith another device the personal media device prompts a user forconfirmation using the display panel and receives confirmation from theuser using the control assembly prior to transmitting the first userprofile to the other device using the wireless data transfer system. 2.The personal media device of claim 1 further comprising one or moreadditional control switches positioned proximate the control assembly.3. The personal media device of claim 2 wherein the one or moreadditional switches includes one or more ratings switches configured toallow a user to provide feedback concerning one or more media datafiles.
 4. The personal media device of claim 1 further comprising a businterface assembly for releasably coupling the personal media device toa docking cradle.
 5. The personal media device of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more processors and one or more memory architecturesconfigured to execute a digital rights management process.
 6. Thepersonal media device of claim 1, wherein the computer readable storagemedium is further configured to store one or more media data files. 7.The personal media device of claim 1 wherein the slider assemblyincludes a sliding switch assembly configured to allow for bidirectionalmovement and configured to generate one or more signals in response tothe bidirectional movement.
 8. The personal media device of claim 1further comprising an audio subsystem for providing an audio signal toan audio jack positioned on the housing assembly, the audio signal beinggenerated while rendering one or more media data files.
 9. The personalmedia device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless interfaceconfigured to wirelessly-couple the personal media device with one ormore of: a network; and the other device.
 10. The personal media deviceof claim 1 wherein the personal media device is chosen from the groupconsisting of an MP3 player, a personal digital assistant, a cellulartelephone, an internet radio, and a dedicated network device.
 11. Thecontrol assembly of claim 1 wherein the personal media device is chosenfrom the group consisting of an MP3 player, a personal digitalassistant, a cellular telephone, an internet radio, and a dedicatednetwork device.
 12. The personal media device of claim 1, wherein thesensor comprises a momentary switch.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinconfirming transmission of the user profile further comprises: receivinguser input from a control assembly disposed on a housing assembly of thepersonal media device.
 14. A method comprising: generating a userprofile; storing the user profile on a computer readable storage mediumof a personal media device; placing the personal media device intophysical contact with another device; detecting physical contact, by thepersonal media device, with the other device using a sensor zone;initiating a wireless hand shake protocol by the personal media device;confirming transmission of the user profile by the personal media deviceto the other device; and transferring the user profile by the personalmedia device to the other device.
 15. A personal media devicecomprising: a sensor configured to detect physical contact with anotherdevice; and a computer readable storage medium configured to store auser profile; a wireless data transfer system configured to communicatedata to the other device using the wireless network interface, thewireless data transfer system comprising: a wireless network interfaceconfigured to wirelessly couple the personal media device to the anotherdevice; wherein upon detection of physical contact with the other devicethe personal media device transmits the user profile to the other deviceusing the data network.
 16. The personal media device of claim 15,wherein the wireless network interface comprises a short-range radio.17. The personal media device of claim 15, wherein the wireless datatransfer system is configured to encrypt data transferred using thewireless network interface.
 18. The personal media device of claim 15,wherein the user profile comprises at least one of a user's name, emailaddress, instant messenger address, and telephone number.
 19. Thepersonal media device of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises amomentary switch.
 20. The personal media device of claim 15, furthercomprising: a housing assembly; a display panel located on the housingassembly; and a control assembly located on the housing assembly;wherein prior to transmitting the first user profile to the other deviceusing the wireless data transfer system, the personal media deviceprompts a user for confirmation using the display panel and receivesconfirmation from the user using the control assembly.